Is Google Search Biased? We Analyzed 50 Key Politically-Driven Topics to Find Out (Updated for 2025)
Quick Answer: Is Google biased against conservatives? The short answer is not likely.
Based on our data-driven study, we found that 63% of Google's search results were non-partisan.
At the same time, 32% of the results came from left-leaning publications versus 5% of results coming from right-leaning websites.
Now, you may see 32% vs. 5% and think Google is biased to the left.
But here's the truth:
The lopsided results are because of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), not because Google's algorithm is biased.
Let's dive into the case study.
Google Liberal Bias: Does It Exist?
While 63% is almost a failing score in school, it's impressive that an algorithm can be so effective.
316 of the results were from non-partisan and unbiased websites. Websites that present facts. Not opinions.
This is super important for politically-driven topics where there tends to be lots of misinformation or "fake news."
32% Left vs. 5% Right
While Google's algorithm presents unbiased information for most results, it isn't perfect. As you can see, left-leaning publications received more coverage and visibility for key political topics.
In a perfect world, there would be equal representation for both parties.
Unfortunately, this isn't the case.
Now, you might be wondering: Why are more left-leaning websites showing up for key political topics?
Well, it's not for the reasons that you probably think.
More on this in a second, but it has to do with Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
But before we get into that, let's dive into some of these topics briefly.
Top 3 Left-Leaning Topics
Topics that had the most left-leaning websites present:
- "black lives matter" = 9/10
- "border wall" = 7/10. This one is almost in line with Gallup poll data. 60% of Americans oppose "significantly expanding the construction of walls along the U.S.-Mexico border."
- "dreamers" = 6/10
Top 3 Right-Leaning Topics
Topics that had the most right-leaning websites present:
- "blue lives matter" = 4/10
- "second amendment" = 3/10
- "pro-life" = 3/10
Top 3 Unbiased Topics
The topics below had the highest number of non-partisan results:
- "electoral college" = 10/10
- "gold standard" = 10/10
- "roe vs wade" = 9/10
Google's algorithm was effective for these topics. It had almost a 100% success rate in showing non-partisan results for these topics.
Top 3 Topics With Fair Representation
"second amendment" = Left: 3, Center: 4, Right: 3
"pro-life" = Left: 3, Center: 4, Right: 3.
According to the Gallup Poll, 46% of Americans are "pro-choice" while 49% are "pro-life," so this was pretty accurate.
"gun control" = Left: 2, Center: 7, Right: 1. The first two results were fair, but after that, there weren't any other topics that had "fair" representation. "Gun control" was the closest.
So, at this point, it's clear that right-leaning websites get less visibility and coverage for key political topics.
But the question is: why?
Why Do Google's Results Seem Biased (from an SEO Perspective)?
First, let me cover how SEO works quickly. Google uses over 200 ranking factors to determine what pages should appear for any keyword.
These factors are NOT created equal.
But in most cases, pages that perform well in Google have the following characteristics:
1. They target keywords like "black lives matter" or "gun control."
2. The page provides detailed information about the topic. This is referred to as SEO content in my world. More often than not, pages that have bigger word counts tend to perform better.
3. The website and target page have backlinks. A "backlink" is created when another website links to your website.
Google uses backlinks as "votes" for a website. The more high-quality backlinks a website has, the better it will often perform.
Out of all of the 200 ranking factors, backlinks are one of the strongest by far.
So now, let's look at the data.
Left-Leaning Websites Are Stronger
On average, left-leaning websites in this study were substantially stronger than right-leaning websites. By "stronger," I'm speaking about website authority driven by the number of high-quality backlinks.
Here's the data pulled from Ahrefs:
Left-leaning websites also have substantially more .gov and .edu backlinks.
So, without getting too deep into SEO, the primary reason why more left-leaning websites are outperforming right-leaning websites is because of the volume of backlinks and overall website authority.
But this raises some other questions:
Why do left-leaning websites get more backlinks?
There are a few possibilities:
1. Left-leaning websites are more likely to engage in active link building. "Active" link building is when a company pays a company like mine to acquire backlinks on other websites.
2. There is a bigger pool of left-leaning websites capable of linking compared to right-leaning. According to data in this article, the tech industry (which has very powerful websites) leans left.
3. .edu and .gov websites tend to be more left-leaning and, therefore, more likely to link to left-leaning sources of information.
These ideas are difficult to quantify, but they are worth exploring further.
To Conclude the Google Bias Project
So, back to our original question:
Is Google biased?
Not likely.
Google's results were surprisingly non-partisan (61%) for key political topics. It's not perfect, and the results lean left, but it's likely not because Google's algorithms are biased.
Key Finding
It's because those left-leaning websites are simply better at SEO.
Now, there is one thing that can't be quantified, but it could sometimes make Google results biased.
And that's why Google's algorithm is designed and operated by humans. Humans are inherently biased in one way or another.
You must also consider that Google uses over 10,000 humans to review the quality of their search engine results manually. It's entirely possible that these humans could suppress pages they disagree with.
Bias is inevitable when humans are involved.
How We Conducted the Google Bias Project
The way we conducted this case study was simple:
1. We found over 300 "controversial" topics using sites like ProCon.org
2. We broke that list down and focused on 50 politically-driven topics (see them here). Why? Because political bias is easier to identify.
3. We scraped Google's SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) for each topic using the Data Miner plugin for Chrome
4. We then built a list of websites that frequently showed up for these key political topics.
5. We then categorized each website as either left, center, or right-leaning based on findings from AllSides.com and Media Bias Fact Check. "Center" can also be defined as "non-partisan" or neutral.
6. Then, we reviewed the top 10 for each topic and marked each result as left, center, right, or unknown. This was based on the website's known political leanings.
Not based on the content of the individual page.
We made this decision because categorizing each result would make the process too subjective on our end.
We analyzed 500 results (50 keywords x 10 first-page spots on Google).
Community Feedback: What Readers Thought
When this case study was first published, it generated hundreds of comments and strong reactions from readers. While individual comments varied in tone and intensity, several clear themes emerged. Below is a synthesis of their perspectives, grouped by common threads so every voice is represented fairly and respectfully.
1. Perceptions of Liberal/Left-Leaning Bias
Many readers felt strongly that Google's results consistently leaned left. They pointed to searches on political topics (e.g., "Trump," "Democrats," "left-wing violence") and noted that conservative viewpoints or sources rarely appeared on the first page. Some described this as "obvious" or "impossible to miss," while others said it was "100% liberal leftist" in tone.
A number of readers described Google as part of a broader "liberal propaganda machine."
Several compared it directly to mainstream outlets like CNN or MSNBC, saying results mirrored their editorial slant.
A few emphasized that even everyday, non-political searches seemed to reflect this left-leaning preference.
2. Difficulty Finding Neutral or Conservative Sources
A recurring frustration was the need to rephrase searches multiple times before seeing results readers felt were unbiased. Some said they had to "ask 10 different ways" or "reword 15 times" to find non-liberal perspectives. Others noted that right-leaning results often didn't appear until page 3, 4, or beyond.
Readers highlighted examples where queries about conservative figures returned negative stories, while similar queries about liberal figures returned positive coverage.
A few said they used alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo or Brave because they produced more balanced results.
3. Concerns About Suppression and Censorship
Several readers went further, arguing that Google actively suppressed certain viewpoints. They compared Google's practices to censorship, with claims that conservative or alternative perspectives were "automatically deemed false" or "removed."
Some pointed to COVID-19 search results as examples, claiming scientific findings or dissenting views were hidden.
Others argued that search autocomplete and suggested results were manipulated to emphasize left-leaning narratives.
A few likened Google's role to "mind manipulation" or propaganda, warning of broader societal risks.
4. Independent & Moderate Observations
Not all feedback came from partisan perspectives. A few readers self-identified as independents or moderates but still observed a leftward tilt. They expressed concern that this polarization hurt public trust and risked undermining national unity.
One commenter worried that continued bias could contribute to deeper divisions, even warning about the risk of future civil conflict.
Another noted that Wikipedia and similar sources appeared prominently, which they felt reflected a liberal-leaning author base rather than Google's direct intent.
5. Alternative Explanations: SEO, Backlinks, and Authority
While most readers focused on perceived political bias, a smaller group suggested structural reasons for what they saw.
Some pointed out that Google gives weight to authoritative sites with strong backlink profiles, and since many universities and government institutions lean liberal, left-leaning publications naturally dominate rankings.
Others argued that this wasn't necessarily evidence of active suppression but rather a by-product of Google's ranking factors.
A handful acknowledged that Google's algorithm is imperfect and may unintentionally produce biased results.
6. Strong Emotional Reactions
Beyond structured arguments, many readers expressed anger, disappointment, or distrust toward Google. Some used blunt or dismissive language to convey their frustration. Common sentiments included:
That Google was "useless" or "a joke" as a search engine.
That Google was complicit in "indoctrination" or "pushing an agenda."
Comparisons of Google to mainstream media or political institutions seen as untrustworthy.
Even when strongly worded, these comments reflected a deep level of passion about the topic.
7. Supportive & Appreciative Comments
Amid the criticism, a smaller but notable portion of readers expressed appreciation for the case study itself.
Some thanked the author for conducting the research and engaging directly with commenters.
A few readers emphasized respect for the attempt to take a data-driven approach, even if they disagreed with the conclusions.
One commenter called the analysis "the best they had seen so far" and encouraged continued study across multiple search engines.
8. Pushback and Counterarguments
Finally, several commenters directly challenged the critics. They argued that claims of bias were exaggerated, unproven, or based on selective examples.
Some emphasized that the algorithm is designed to rank by relevance and authority, not ideology.
Others cautioned against conflating anecdotal searches with systemic bias.
A few pointed out flaws in commenters' logic, calling for more rigorous methodology before drawing conclusions.
Closing Note
The comments reflect a wide spectrum of perspectives — from frustration and distrust to appreciation and nuanced counterpoints. While many readers expressed a belief that Google is biased toward liberal sources, others highlighted structural SEO factors or defended the algorithm as impartial but imperfect.
This range of feedback underscores how emotionally charged and complex the question of "Google bias" remains.
Now Your Turn: Is Google Biased?
Were you surprised by this data? Have you seen bias in Google search results?
Leave your thoughts below. All ideas are welcome!